Elizabeth remains beside Thadeus among the marble ruins, one hand clasped around his while Elias kneels to press folded cloth against the claw wound.
Elias
Hold this pressure. The bleeding is slowing, but the dressing needs to stay tight until we can properly treat you.
Marcus and Sally keep watch behind the fractured column. Nearby, Erzsebet lies unconscious beneath the red moonlight, unable to interrupt what her daughter now reveals.
Elizabeth Bathory
She spoke of Armageddon as though it were a ceremony already prepared. She believed my blood could open the way and awaken something buried inside me.
Elizabeth Bathory
Erzsebet called my dhampir nature untapped power. She wanted to capture me, force that power awake, and use me to bring the end of the world.
Elias
Whatever she planned, you stopped it. For now, at least. Thadeus, stay still while I secure this emergency dressing.
Elizabeth Bathory
I survived her control, but I do not know how long this silence will last. What do we do with my mother now?
✓ Quest Accepted
Discover the truth about the Bathory family
✓ Quest Accepted
Escape Castle Proserpina
Director's note
The ruby shattered, preventing Elizabeth from losing control of her dark energy
“Thadeus winces briefly as Elias applies pressure to the wound. "Elizabeth, can you show me the ring I threw to you?" Elizabeth holds her hand out, and looks puzzled. She replies, "Oh, I thought there was a ruby on the ring. How did you know it would help stop the blood ritual?" Thadues chuckles, "Honestly, I didn't. I found that near the entrance to the castle. We were fortunate fo find out that it had healing properties. By the way, Elizabeth, you were right. The ring did have a gem on its face. I'm fairly certain the gem shattered, preventing you from fully turning."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Thadeus winces as Elias tightens the folded cloth against his chest. Elizabeth Bathory remains beside him, their hands still linked amid the shattered marble.
Thadeus Jovanović
Elizabeth, can you show me the ring I threw to you?
Elizabeth Bathory
She holds out her hand, puzzled. I thought there was a ruby on the ring. How did you know it would help stop the blood ritual?
The ring rests against Elizabeth Bathory’s pale fingers. Its ruby is gone, leaving a fractured setting that catches the red moonlight.
Thadeus Jovanović
Honestly, I didn’t. I found it near the entrance to the castle. We were fortunate to discover it had healing properties.
Thadeus Jovanović
By the way, you were right. The ring did have a gem on its face. I’m fairly certain it shattered, preventing you from fully turning.
Elizabeth Bathory
Elizabeth studies the empty setting, then looks toward Erzsebet’s motionless form. So the ring spent itself to keep my mother’s blood from taking me completely.
Quest Complete
Discover the truth about the Bathory family
Director's note
Erzsebet starts to regain consciousness, but appears to still be passed out
“Elizabeth shares more information about Erzsebet to Thadeus, "My mother told me about the events during the Great War. Her and my father abandoned me. He followed her to his death, here in the castle. Two vampire hunters, John and Eric, stormed the castle to stop her from completing a resurrection. My father tried to stop them, but they mercilessly killed him." A mysterious voice echoes behind Elizabeth, Thadeus and Elias, "Is that what she told you? She was always a terrible liar." Shocked, Thadeus, Elizabeth and Elias turn around to see the ghostly image of William Thorne appear, smiling warmly at them.”
Elizabeth Bathory
My mother told me about the Great War. She and my father abandoned me. He followed her here to his death.
Elizabeth Bathory
Two vampire hunters, John and Eric, stormed the castle to stop her resurrection. My father tried to stop them, but they killed him.
The wind moans through the shattered ballroom. Behind Elizabeth, Erzsebet’s fingers twitch once against the marble, though her eyes remain closed and her body appears limp.
William Thorne
Is that what she told you? She was always a terrible liar.
The voice echoes from behind them. Thadeus, Elizabeth, and Elias turn sharply as William Thorne’s ghostly image takes shape among the drifting dust, smiling warmly.
Elizabeth Bathory
Father?
Elias
Everyone stay calm. He is not attacking us, but we should listen carefully before that changes.
“William speaks directly to Elizabeth, "My sweet daughter, it warms my heart to see you." Elizabeth stands up, anger rising within her. She storms over to the ghostly figure. "I don't even know you! You abandoned me when I was a baby. If not for a family that found me, I wouldn't even be here. You abandoned me..." Elizabeth starts to break down and cry, then reaches out for William. Amazingly, William's form becomes physical enough to embrace Elizabeth, hugging her with the love only a father could have for his daughter. Thadeus smiles at the sight.”
William Thorne
My sweet daughter, it warms my heart to see you.
Elizabeth rises abruptly, anger tightening her pale features. She crosses the ruined ballroom toward William Thorne’s ghostly form as dust drifts through the red moonlight.
Elizabeth Bathory
I don't even know you! You abandoned me when I was a baby. If not for a family that found me, I wouldn't even be here. You abandoned me...
Her voice breaks. Elizabeth reaches toward him through her tears, and William Thorne’s translucent shape gathers weight beneath her hand, becoming solid enough to receive her.
William Thorne folds Elizabeth into his arms with unmistakable paternal tenderness. She clings to him, crying against his shoulder as the storm moans through the shattered windows.
William Thorne
I am sorry, my daughter. I have carried that regret with me every moment since I lost you.
Thadeus watches them embrace and smiles quietly. Elias lowers the Holy Cross but keeps his attention divided between the reunion and Erzsebet’s motionless form nearby.
“After Elizabeth regains herself, William shares that he did die inside this castle, but it wasn't the fault of the vampire hunters, "I loved your mother, I still love her with all of my being, but she was controlled by the same power she tried to awaken out of you. You are not the only one of your kind, the dhampir. There is another, once known as the Sleeping Soldier, who has powers similar to yours." Thadeus interrupts, "Is he a threat?" William chuckles, "I'm surprised you didn't know. No, he isn't a threat to you, much the opposite. He's become a sort of vampire hunter in his own right, but that's a story for your book isn't it, Elias?" Elias looks up, and nods, "It is, yes. We'll have to look at that later, Thadeus." William continues, "Elizabeth, I need you to know this. Do not hate your mother. She is not the monster you've fought here." They all look over to where Erzsebet was, and are shocked to see she has disappeared. William whispers, "Oh no...."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
William Thorne holds Elizabeth close as the storm presses through the ruined ballroom. His ghostly features soften, but his gaze remains fixed on the place where Erzsebet lies.
William Thorne
I did die inside this castle, Elizabeth, but the vampire hunters were not responsible. I loved your mother, and I still love her with all my being.
William Thorne
She was controlled by the same power she tried to awaken in you. You are not the only dhampir. Another was called the Sleeping Soldier, with powers much like yours.
Thadeus Jovanović
Is he a threat?
William Thorne
No. Quite the opposite. He became a vampire hunter in his own right. I am surprised you did not know, Elias. That belongs in your book.
Elias
It does. We will have to examine that later, Thadeus.
William Thorne
Elizabeth, do not hate your mother. She is not the monster you fought here.
Everyone turns toward the marble where Erzsebet had lain. The space is empty. No door has opened, no footstep has sounded. William Thorne’s warm expression collapses into fear.
William Thorne
Oh no...